(from the cdc website, http://www.cdc.gov/zika/symptoms/) ZIKA DISEASE (from the cdc website, http://www.cdc.gov/zika/symptoms/)

WHAT IS ZIKA DISEASE? Zika is a disease caused by Zika virus that is spread to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika.

IS THIS A NEW VIRUS? No. Outbreaks of Zika previously have been reported in tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Zika virus likely will continue to spread to new areas. In May 2015, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert regarding the first confirmed Zika virus infection in Brazil. Since that time, local transmission has been reported in many other countries and territories.

Areas with zika

Zika in the united states Local mosquito-borne transmission of Zika virus has been reported in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and America Samoa. No local mosquito-borne Zika virus disease cases have been reported in US states, but there have been travel-associated cases. With the recent outbreaks, the number of Zika cases among travelers visiting or returning to the United States will likely increase. 80% of cases will not be diagnosed. These imported cases could result in local spread of the virus in some areas of the United States.

History (from en.Wikipedia.org) The virus was first isolated in April 1947 from a rhesus macaque monkey that had been placed in a cage in the Zika Forest of Uganda, near Lake Victoria, by the scientists of the Yellow Fever Research Institute. A second isolation from the mosquito A. africanus followed at the same site in January 1948. When the monkey developed a fever, researchers isolated from its serum a filterable transmission agent that was named Zika virus in 1948.

First evidence of human infection, 1952 Zika virus had been known to infect humans from the results of serological surveys in Uganda and Nigeria. A serosurvey of 84 people of all ages showed 50 had antibodies, with all above 40 years of age being immune.[61] It was not until 1954 that the successful isolation of Zika virus from a human was published. This came as part of a 1952 outbreak investigation of jaundice suspected to be yellow fever. It was found in the blood of a 10 year old Nigerian female with low grade fever, headache, and evidence of malaria, but no jaundice, who recovered within three days. Blood was injected into the brain of laboratory mice, followed by up to 15 mice passages. The virus from mouse brains was then tested in neutralization tests using rhesus monkey sera specifically immune to Zika virus. In contrast, no virus was isolated from the blood of two infected adults with fever, jaundice, cough, diffuse joint pains in one and fever, headache, pain behind the eyes and in the joints.[clarification needed] Infection was proven by a rise in Zika virus specific serum antibodies.[61] A 1952 research study conducted in India had shown a "significant number" of Indians tested for Zika had exhibited an immune response to the virus, suggesting it had long been widespread within human populations.[62]

Spread in equatorial Africa and to Asia, 1951–1981 From 1951 through 1981, evidence of human infection with Zika virus was reported from other African countries, such as the Central African Republic, Egypt, Gabon, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Uganda, as well as in parts of Asia including India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.[26] From its discovery until 2007, there were only 14 confirmed human cases of Zika virus infection from Africa and Southeast Asia.[63]

Micronesia, 2007 In April 2007, the first outbreak outside of Africa and Asia occurred on the island of Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia, characterized by rash, conjunctivitis, and arthralgia, which was initially thought to be dengue, chikungunya, or Ross River disease.[64]Serum samples from patients in the acute phase of illness contained RNA of Zika virus. There were 49 confirmed cases, 59 unconfirmed cases, no hospitalizations, and no deaths. Between 2013 and 2014, further epidemics occurred in French Polynesia Polynesia, Easter Island, the Cook Islands, and New Caledonia.

Americas, 2015–present Since April 2015, a large, ongoing outbreak of Zika virus that began in Brazil has spread to much of South and Central America and the Caribbean. In January 2016, the CDC issued a level 2 travel alert for people traveling to regions and certain countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing,[66] and suggested that women thinking about becoming pregnant should consult with their physicians before traveling.[67] Governments or health agencies of the United Kingdom,[16] Ireland,[17] New Zealand,[68] Canada,[18] and theEuropean Union[18] soon issued similar travel warnings. In Colombia, Minister of Health and Social Protection Alejandro Gaviria Uribe recommended avoiding pregnancy for eight months, while the countries of Ecuador, El Salvador, and Jamaica have issued similar warnings.[17][19] End of January 2016, the authorities in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, announced plans to try to prevent the spread of the Zika virus during the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in that city.[18] Between October 2015 and January 2016, Brazilian health authorities reported more than 3,500 microcephaly cases, some with a severe type and some having died.[69] The worst affected region of Brazil is its poorest, consisting of the 3 Northeastern states Paraiba, Pernambuco and Bahia, where about 1 percent of newborns are suspected of being microcephalic.[70] As of February 2016 52 travel-associated Zika virus disease cases and no locally acquired vector-borne cases had been reported from the US to the CDC, though there were 9 local cases from US territories Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.[71]

transmission Through mosquito bites Zika virus is transmitted to people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito (A. aegypti and A. albopictus). These are the same mosquitoes that spread dengue and chikungunya viruses. These mosquitoes typically lay eggs in and near standing water in things like buckets, bowls, animal dishes, flower pots and vases.  They prefer to bite people, and live indoors and outdoors near people. Mosquitoes that spread chikungunya, dengue, and Zika are aggressive daytime biters. They can also bite at night. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on a person already infected with the virus. Infected mosquitoes can then spread the virus to other people through bites.

Rarely, from mother to child A mother already infected with Zika virus near the time of delivery can pass on the virus to her newborn around the time of birth, but this is rare. It is possible that Zika virus could be passed from a mother to her fetus during pregnancy. We are studying how Zika affects pregnancies. To date, there are no reports of infants getting Zika virus through breastfeeding. Because of the benefits of breastfeeding, mothers are encouraged to breastfeed even in areas where Zika virus is found.

Through infected blood or sexual contact Spread of the virus through blood transfusion and sexual contact have been reported.

symptoms About 1 in 5 people infected with Zika virus become ill (i.e., develop Zika). Characteristic clinical findings are acute onset of fever with maculopapular rash, arthralgia, or conjunctivitis. Other commonly reported symptoms include myalgia and headache. Clinical illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon and case fatality is low. Zika virus usually remains in the blood of an infected person for about a week but it can be found longer in some people. However, there have been cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome reported in patients following suspected Zika virus infection. The Brazil Ministry of Health is also investigating the possible association between Zika virus and a reported increase in the number of babies born with microcephaly.  Due to concerns of microcephaly associated with maternal Zika virus infection, fetuses and infants of women infected with Zika virus during pregnancy should be evaluated for possible congenital infection and neurologic abnormalities.

diagnosis The symptoms of Zika are similar to those of dengue and chikungunya, diseases spread through the same mosquitoes that transmit Zika. Preliminary diagnosis is based on the patient’s clinical features, places and dates of travel, and activities. Laboratory diagnosis is generally accomplished by testing serum or plasma to detect virus, viral nucleic acid, or virus-specific immunoglobulin M and neutralizing antibodies.

treatment There is no vaccine to prevent or specific medicine to treat Zika infections. Treatment is generally supportive and can include rest, fluids, and use of analgesics and antipyretics. Because of similar geographic distribution and symptoms, patients with suspected Zika virus infections also should be evaluated and managed for possible dengue or chikungunya virus infection. Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be avoided until dengue can be ruled out to reduce the risk of hemorrhage.  People infected with Zika, chikungunya, or dengue virus should be protected from further mosquito exposure during the first few days of illness to prevent other mosquitoes from becoming infected and reduce the risk of local transmission.

prevention No vaccine exists to prevent Zika virus disease (Zika). Prevent Zika by avoiding mosquito bites. Mosquitoes that spread Zika virus bite mostly during the daytime. Mosquitoes that spread Zika virus also spread dengue and chikungunya viruses.

Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. When travelling to countries where Zika virus or other viruses spread by mosquitoes are found, take the following steps: Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Stay in places with air conditioning or that use window and door screens to keep mosquitoes outside. Sleep under a mosquito bed net if you are overseas or outside and are not able to protect yourself from mosquito bites. Use EPA-registered insect repellents. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breast-feeding women. Always follow the product label instructions Reapply insect repellent as directed. Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing. If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen before applying insect repellent.

If you have a baby or child: Do not use insect repellent on babies younger than 2 months of age. Dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs, or Cover crib, stroller, and baby carrier with mosquito netting. Do not apply insect repellent onto a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, and cut or irritated skin. Adults: Spray insect repellent onto your hands and then apply to a child’s face. Treat clothing and gear with permethrin or purchase permethrin-treated items. Treated clothing remains protective after multiple washings. See product information to learn how long the protection will last. If treating items yourself, follow the product instructions carefully. Do NOT use permethrin products directly on skin. They are intended to treat clothing.

If you have Zika, protect others from getting sick During the first week of infection, Zika virus can be found in the blood and passed from an infected person to another mosquito through mosquito bites. An infected mosquito can then spread the virus to other people. To help prevent others from getting sick, avoid mosquito bites during the first week of illness.

http://www.cdc.gov/zika/prevention/index.html

microcephaly

Zika disease in malaysia

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/mosquito-responsible-for-majority-of-zika-infections-found-in-canada-for-first-time-1.4257135

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